Pneumatic street-cleaner.



R. W. FURNAS, DECD. r. A. & L. F. HAMILTON, EXECUTORS. PNEUMATIC STREET CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. 1915.

Patented June 12, 1917.

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3 SHEETS-SHEET I- $0M Wf WIT/M8858:

R. W. FURNAS, DECD.

F- A. 8!. L. F. HAMILTON. EXECUTORS.

PNEUMATIC STREET CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. 1915- Patented June 12, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES:

R. W. FURNAS, DECD. r. A. & L; F. HAMILTON, EXECUTORS. PNEUMATIC STREET CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. 1915.

Patented June 12, 1917.

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3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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aria snare PATENT onrrcn.

ROBERT W. FURNAS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA; FRANK A. HAMILTON AND LELIAF. HAMILTON EXECUTORS OF SAID ROBERT W. FURNAS, DECEASED.

PNEUMATIC STREET-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June f2, 1912.

Application filed October 22, 1915. Serial No. 57,366.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT W. FURNAS, a

' being had .to the accompanying drawings,

and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to the type of machine that is designed to clean streets, more especially paved streets, by lifting and removing the dust and dirt from the surface of the street or roadway, the invention having reference more particularly to engine power pneumatic street-cleaning machines that are designed to haul away the dirt and debris to convenient places'for discharging the load.

An object of the invention is to provide improvements in construction generally of' pneumatic street-cleaning machines, more particularly with reference to the cleaning operations without causing annoyance to the communities where the operations are, carried out.

Another object is to provide improved means wherebyto gather and lift the dust and dirt from the surface of the street withing a very broad strip of surface relatively to the width of the cleaning machine structure, which gathering-chamber shall be so constructed as to insure practically uniform suction power throughout the width of the strip for lifting the dust or debris.

With the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in. a pneumatic street-cleaning machine having various novel features of construction with respect to the lifting and controlling of'the dust and dirt; the invention consisting more particuarly in an improved gathering-chamber, and in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a right-hand side elevation of a pneumatic street-cleaning machine constructed substantially in accordance with the invention;

' Fig. 2 is a top plan of the machine omitting the forward portion thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section of the separator of the machine on the line A A on Fig. 2; Fig.

4 -is a fragmentary vertical section of the rotary pump portion of the gathering-hood on the line B B on Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section of the rotary pump portion of-the gathering-chamber on the line C C on Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an inverted plan of the gathering-chamber; and, Fig. 7 is a section of the lower portion of the gathering-cham-' her in normal position taken approximately on the line D D on Fig. 6.

Similar reference characters on the different figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein referred to.

-The improved street-cleaning machine comprises a'suitable platform 1 constructed substantially as shown and suitably mounted on forward guiding wheels2 and rearward driving wheels 3, an explosion engine 4 being mounted on the forward portion of i the platform and connected with suitable gearing 5 having connection with the driving wheels for propelling the machine. A steeringwheel 6 is mounted on the platform for controlling the guiding wheels, so that the machine is designedto be advantageboiler 7 is mounted upon the platform 1 at a suitable distance forward of the rear end thereof, the boiler being upright and having a fire-box door 8 and also an ash-pan or box 9 beneath the fire-box of the boiler The boiler is provided on its top with a smokehox 10 to which a horizontally arranged v 45 y that extends'nearly acrosst v branch, 17 is connected "with the exhaustvpipe between the steam-engine and thestopvalve and extends-into the smoke-box l0, and is provided witha stop-valve 18, so'that' the 14: connected therewith and also I draft-pipe 11 is connected. The top of" the mounted on the forward portion of the platform 1 at one side of the explosion. engine andis supplied with steam through a .pipe

steam-boiler 7, An exhaust-pipe 15 is connected with the steam-engine and; extends I beyond the steam-boilerand is provided bev V c into the condll it,, theplate. exten'dlng upwardand over approximately'to'thefsideplates 28 yond the latter with a stop-valve 16 {anda exhaust steam'may .be utilized'when desired for creating adraft through the fire-boxf valve19 with which an'esoape-pipe 20 iscon- The steam-boiler is provided with a. safety nected,jthe latter being connected with the exhaust-pipe 15 abovea suitable separator.

'21whi ch1s mounted onthe rearward portion of the platform 1 rearward of the steam boiler. Theseparator'has a horizontal partition 22 in the upper portion thereof -soas toprovide an upper chamber that has i communication with the remaining or lower chamber of the separator by'mean's of 'a-tube' 23 that is connectedat its upper end' to "the- "-partition and extends downward a. suitable 1* v j di'stance. I The exhaust-pipe 15 is extended intothe' lower chamber of theseparator-so' as to conduct the exhaust. steam,- when desired, and thewastesteam fromfthe safety 'valve, into-the dust-arresting chamber of the sepa 'rator for moistening' the dust to facilitate or hasten its settling into a dirt-box 24 whichis carried by the platform beneath the 's epa "-jaraton a '5 -f" 1 v 9- The upper part of the improved g gatllening-chamber is mounted on the platform 1 in v transverse arrangement between the'engines.

relatively near one' end thereof and having" a arms 27 fixed thereon 5 2 chamber, or dus t whi h in some cases may.

and thesteam-boiler and com risesa' L Y IP r fi;

f h geth gr h h er shaft 26 being rotatably mounted in the case side'members 28 and29 .30.are secured for forcing'air from the; case, 3 the air beingrec'eived into thejcase around-'- the-shaft through a pipe or conduit 31 that jg-is connected to The 7 case has-a rearward extension 32 to '1 f whlcih a pipe oroonduit-33'is connected,'-the' pipe-being connected'also with the. 'separ ator 21 belowthepartition'22for conduct ng the, 50

the rear side of the case and .with the upper chamber .of -thesep'arator 21.; V

i' i horter" I and debris-andTairjintothe-separating 2; 'chamber"of'the-separatonfi In order to'di pose of finedu'st ,th'attin with the 1 gto' the 'irame' 144 and constructed isoga's to be extens blegoi-icontraotibl vertically: and 'con.-'

that caiiry two annular-t ing-chamber "which" f nibladesg not be drawn into the separator from the case, 'a conduit 34 is'connected with the lower mayv rise in the gatheringeohamber and pass into thecase portion thereof. 'Theian being: arrangednear-one end of the case, a dividing plate 35 is placedbetween the'fan and}thet opposite end of the case 25,:beingrelatively' close to the fan-and connected with one side of the conduit 34 to direct the air-icu'rrents and 29 of the'ianwhich extendoutward be yond the ian. blades 30'. F' 'Anotherdividingplate'36' is placed in theflcase?andconnected I with-the opposite side offthe 'cqnduit 34, the plate extendingr upwe' 'rdv approximately to the side plates of'the fan. {When -the fan is operated in the .direotionpf tlie @IIOWfthere on SOIIIB-Of the air inthezcase 25land also.

dryv dust are forcedtogetherl'thr ough the conduit34=p 5 y The shaft 26 hts'abev igaliwheei 37 secured-thereto that in meshyiwitha bevel gear wheel 88 secure dvto a shaft 39 which is rotatablymounted on the: fo'rwardside of the steam-engine 1 3 is providedi :An open'frame 43'comprisinga part of the gathering-chamber is connected tojthe lower the ase 25 and its extension,, the

'l'a'r, companion framej44issuitab1y'connected" t0 and carried by the framef433pn the-under sidefthereo-f 'Theframes are approximately ir sew rwrpnm Hammered mime lower dwayfhetweenthe ends thereof, dewnwardf a suitable :dis i na e's' bevethevsurfew i bidwl ia On ti n ame being-beneath the platformil; A

or yina n frame a g b it5- m-p emgvconneeted outer chamber and also an 11. 11 chem 1 'ber -withinthe;;outer .chamhenjy-The outer chamber; portion'-. comprises} a front plate A6 "e lportion iofv the fair-box, 'fithe latesfbeing 1 1v 'the iairv-box le-and connected to I 1. Pl= s48 n 7 c nne s i n ide ec n iifla s I 0 ei d" 1 v T x-g- -The g z. P96 6 3 of nected to and extend downward from the respectivetop plates, so that the lower portion of the outer chamber extends outward beyond the air-box and is convenlently further lengthened by means of frame beams 60 and 61 connected to the outer sides of the plates 58 and 59 respectively, the beams being connected to the forward and rearward plates of adjacent side sections. Two other frame beams 62 and 63 extend through and are connected to the inner end portions of the forward and rearward plates of said side sections of. the chamber respectively. The inner chamber of the middle section comprises a top plate 64 that extends from the plane of the frame beams downwardly and rearwardly and has a rearwardly extending horizontallip 65 on its lower rearward end, the upper portion of the plate 64 being in proximity to but not in contact with the forward plate 46, leaving an air-passage betweenthe plates. One side section comprises an approximately triangular top plate 66, the other side section comprising an ap proximately triangular top plate 67, the for ward upper edge portions of the plates being in alinement with the forward edge of the plate 64. One of the triangular plates .is suitably connected with and carried by the beams 60 and 62, the other being connected 7 with and carried b-y the beams 61 and 63.

The plate 66 extends downwardly and rearwardly and has-a lip 68 extending from the lip 65 and obliquely in forward direction therefrom so as to leave considerable air space behind the lip, the plate 67 being also inclined to correspond with the plate 64 and having a lip 69 on its'lower rear end that extends forward obliquely so as to leave considerable air space in proximity to the beam 61, the top plate 66, as will be seen,

' having a relatively narrow end portion 70 adjacent to the beam 60, the other plate 67 having a narrow. end portion 71 adjacent to the beam 61. The top plate 66 is connected to the plate 64 by means of a hinge 72, a hinge 73 connecting the plate 67 with the plate 64. An upright plate 74 which is socured to the beam 60, to the plates 50 and 51 and also to the plate 66, forms the end wall of one of the side sections of the outer and inner chambers, an upright plate 75 being secured to the outer side of the beam 61 and to the adjacent plates'of the remainingside section to form the outer ends of x the outer and inner chambers. One-side sections of the middle section of the chamber.

The frame beams extend forward and rearward beyond the gathering-chamber and the forward portion of each beam is provided with a horizontal pivot 78, the beam being provided also with alike pivot 79 adjacent to the rearward side of the chamber, wheel frames 80 and 81 being provided and connected at their forward ends to the pivots respectively, the rearward ends of the wheel frames being provided with adjusting bolts 82and 83 respectively that are adjustably connected to the beam so as to enable the wheel frames, which are provided respectively with wheels 84 and 85, to carry the.

beam at various distances from the ground surface. The outer chamber has a flexible depending front portion that extends from the end plate 74 t0 the end plate 75 and preferably is composed of sections 86 provided with weights 87 on their rear sidesrespectively, the sections being connected to the plate 46 -and extending downwardly and rearwardly to the ground surface, similar sections 86 being connected to the member 48, similar sections 86 being connected to the member 50. The outer chamber comprises also a rear flexible portion that extends from the end plate 74 to the end plate 75 and prefer ably comprises flexible sections '88 connected to the plate 47 and extending downward and rearward in proximity to the rear edge of the lip 65, each section having a weight 89 on its rear side, similar sections 88 being connected to the plate 49, similar sections 88" being connected to the plate 51. The inner chamber has also a flexible front portion that is arranged at a suitable distance back of the flexible front portion of the outer chamber and extends approximately from the end plate 74 approximately to the end plate 75, and it preferably comprises flexible sections 90 connected to the forward edge of the top plate 64 and having each a weight 91 on its rearward side, each section extending downwardly and rearwardly to extensible or contractible pipe 94 is con- 'nected, the pipe extending upward through the air-box45 of the gathering-chamber and being connected to a nipple 95 which is connected with the pipe or conduit 33.

A particular feature of the inner chamber contemplates the division of the large body of air, that descends from the fan in the large upper portion of the outer chamber, or case 25,to the lower portion of the outer chamber, into air currents and controlling the formation and action of air currents under, the inner chamber, so as to produce practically uniform action of the air 15, throughout the wide range of operation and enable the rotary pump to lift the dust and debris with substantially equal force over the whole Width of the strip of street surface operated upon, in order that the heavier particles of dirt or debris shall be drawn ,into the central aperture 92 from the remote side portions of the gathering-chamber. Means for attaining this object prefe' .erably comprise a plurality of dividers that v are spaced suitable distances apart under the inclined top of the innerchamber and extend forwardly from the lower rearward portion of the top and obliquely toward the medial line of action of the gathering chamber, two of the dividers 96 and 97. being securedto the opposite end portions respectively of-the top plate 64 and extending from the lip 65 towardthe rear portion of the; aperture 92, the dividers being suitably composed of wood and extending approxi- 4 mately to the ground surface or to the plane of the bottom of the plates 74: and 75, so that'the dividers extend downward beyond the plane of the lip. Other dividers98,

40 99, 100, are secured tothe under side of the top plate 66 and extend forwardly and inwardly, the dividers that are the nearer to the narrower end 700i the top plate being theshorter ones but extend slightly nearer tothe flexible sebtions 90' than the others.

Other dividers 101, 102,103, are secured the under side of'the top plate 67 and extendforward ly and inwardly from the lip y 69; The plate 74 that is drawn along the '50 curbing in operation has a recess or opening 104 in'its bottom through which the dust and-dirt adjacent to the curbing is drawn into the gathering-chamber;

In order to lift' the lower adjustable portion of the gathering-chamber from the road surface when not in operation, suitable means are provided which preferably comprise a bar 105 securely connected to the beams and 62 and a bar 106 connected to 60 the beams 61 and 63, 'a cable 107 being suitably connected to the bar 105 and. to portions of one of the side sections of the gathering-chamber, another cable 108 being connected to the bar 106 and adjacent portions 65 of the other side section of the'- gatherconnected with a winding-drum 109 promeans? ing chamber. The cables extend upward through the contractible air-box 4:5 and through the rearward extension 32 of the case 25, being suitably guided, and being 7O vided with a hand-wheel 110, may be wound up to lift the gathering-chamber.

Various mechanical expedients may be resorted to in the construction of the various minor features and details of the machine, as will readily be apparent to the c0nstructor, and are contemplated within the scope of the appended claims.

In operation the machine is propelled forward, steam pressure being maintained in the boiler 7 and the -steam-engine 13 being operated the rotary pump-or exhaust-fan is properly driven, with the result that air is set in motion andforcibly drawn from the lower portion of the gathering-chamber and through the pipe or conduit 31 into the case 25, the air being forced downward from the case and into the lower portion of the gathering-chamber but not with sufiicient force to cause it to. escape into the atmosphere, since the air is drawn into the inner chamber and thence through the conduit 94 and the conduit. 33 into the separator 21 by reason of the suction produced in the conduit 31. The large body of air passing downward slowly as a body in the outer chamber is divided into relatively rapid currents by the structure of'the inner chamber, so that a strong current flows under the lip 65 and between the dividers 96 and 97 to the aperture 92, other currents being formed by'the remaining dividers of the air passing under the lips 68 and 69, the velocity of the currents being maintained under the relatively low rearward portions of the top of the inner chamberyso that the dust and debris is forced over under the middle section and is drawn forcibly upward through the aperture 92 and finally into. the separator where the refuse is separated, through the action of centrifugal force and force of grav ity, from the air receivedxinto the separator, and gravitates into the dirt-box or receptacle 2 1 to be carried to a suitable place and dis chargedf The suction produced in the inner chamber being slightly greater than the outward pressure in the surrounding ,portion with the necessary air to attain the proper combustion of the fuel used in the furnace.

The bottom portions of the gathering-chamber are carried on the-surface of the street rectly connected with and discharging unobstructedly into the separator, a separate conducting-pipe conneted with the separator and the outer gathering-chamber, and means in the outer gathering-chamber at the. end

, of the conducting-pipe adapted for forcibly drawing air directly from the conductingpipe into the outer gathering-chamber.

2. A pneumatic street-cleaner including an outer gathering-chamber, a separate separator, an exhaust-fan rotatably arranged in the higher portion of the gathering-chamber to discharge broadcast into the interior of the gathering-chamber, a separate conducting-pipe connected with the separator and the gathering-chamber adjacent to the exhaust-fan for the passage of 'air from the separator directly to the exhaust-fan, a suction-conduit connected with the separator and extending into the gathering-chamber, and an inner chamber in the gatheringchamber connected to the suction-conduit and provided therein with means adapted fordividing air into currents and directing the currents to the suction-conduit.

3. A pneumatic street-cleaner including an outer chamber and an inner chamber, a separator, a suction-conduit connected .with the inner chamber and the separator, means car-' ried under the inner chamber for dividing currents received from the outer chamber into different currents and directing these currents through the inner chamber to the suction conduit, anexhaust-fan in the outer chamber, and a conduit connected with the separator and the exhaust-fan.

4, A pneumatic street-cleaner including an inner gathering-chamber comprising an inclined top that has a straight higher front portion and relatively narrow end portions,

. the under side of the top having a plurality of dividers thereon that extend from the lower portion toward but not to the frontof the higher portion of the top and also obliquely each toward a common median plane, the outer ones of the dividers being successively shorter and nearer than the others to the front portion of the top;

5. A pneumatic street-cleaner including a movably supported platform, a separator mounted upon the platform, an outer chamber compnsin an upper portion carried upon the platfbrm and a lowerportion below the platform, the'upper portion of the outer chamber having an exhaust-fan therein that operates partially in the space with-' inthe outer chamber, a conduit connected 'with the separator and the outer chamber fines, an inner chamber in the outer chamber below the exhaust-fan, a suction-conduit connected with the inner chamber and the I separator, a conduit connected with the separator and the upper portion of the outer chamber adjacent to the exhaust-fan, and

means in the. inner chamber adapted for dividing air into currents and directing the currents to the suction-conduit.

7. In a pneumatic street-cleaner, the combination with an outer chamber, of an inner chamber comprising a middle section and two side sections hinged to the opposite ends respectively of the middle section, each section having an inclined top extending downwardly rearwardly, and a plurality of partition devices secured to the under side of said tops in spaced apart order and extending from said under side and forwardly and toward a common median plane, the devices "on either side of such plane being shorter each with respect to the adjacent one in progression from such median plane.

8. In a pneumatic street-cleaner, an inner chamber comprising an inclined top that has a straight higher front portion and relatively narrow side portions, theunder side of the top having a plurality of dividers thereon that extend from the lower portion toward but not to the front of the higher portion of the top" and also obliquely each toward a common median plane, the outer ones of the dividers being successively shorter and nearer than the others to the front portion of the top.

9. In a pneumatlc street-cleaner, the combination of a gathering-chamber comprising a mlddle section and also 'two side sections hinged to the two opposite sides respectively of the middle section, each side section being provided with two frame beams, each beam having two supporting wheels; an exhaustfan connected with all the sections of the gathering-chamber, a separator, a conduit connected with the separator and the exhaust-fan, and a conduit connected with the separator and the middle section of the gathering-chamber.

10. In a pneumatic street-cleaner, the com.-

bination of a' fa'n case, a separator, anpex I hause-fan 1n thefan-case, a conduit connect-i ed with the separator, andthe fan-case and the exhaust-fan,aan outer chamber ortio'n and an inner chamber in'the outer c amber portion, ,a suction-conduit coIinected With" and the separator, an airthe inner chamber passageway thatjis; relatively shorter and chamber portion into different .currentsand directingthe}. currents through the inner larger-win cross sectional capacity than the" suctiononduit and 'connectingthe .outer chamber portion with the fan-case, and

means carriedunder the. inner. chamber for .dividingathe airf received. into the outer chamber to the 5 suction-conduit.

11; In'apneumaticstreet bination of a'm'ovably supported platform,

a separator-:and.a' fan ease mountedjupon the platform,-the rearward portion of the fan-case having. an extension thereon adj acent to the l'atform, an exhaust-fanm'ounted in the tancase, a

athering chamber structure havinga flefi le air-box portion that is connected withlthe' lower portion of a conductingpipe connected with the fanscase extension and the separator, a flexible conduit connect ed with the gathering-chamber structure and, f the fan-case extension to form communicaE-E the fan-case and its extension,

tion with the conductingpipe, the conduit -extendingithrough the air-box and a. icon} ducting-p'pe connected with t e' separator i and the exhaust-fan. .c

12. In a'pneumatic street-cleaner, the com "bination" of. a gathering-chamber comprising an outer chamber lower ner chamber, the :lower structure having an opentop and extending about. the inner chamber, the gathering-chamber comprising also an'outer upper structure having an open bottom connected with lower structure to permit free and slow pas sage of air' from theuppr structure to the. lower structure; arotatable exhaust-fan oc-.

cupying arelatively small portion of the 'in-.

- tenor of the upper structure; air-current the outer chamber into the separator, an at controlling-means carried in the inner chamE" ber, a' separator, a conduit connected with the inner. chamber and extending throu h conducting-pipe connecting the separator w with the exhaust-fan;

rality of frame beams each 13. I e'ring-chamber comprising upright forward and rearward plates spaced 'apart,;a pluv I secured horizon= tally to the forwardand rearward' plates,

wheels supporting the frame beams, two side cleaner,'the conistructure and an inthe open top of the n a pneumaticstreet-cleaner, a gathplates secured to the forward and'rearward: plates,- forward flexible plates depend- ,ing fromajthe'upright forward plate, rearward flexible plates depending from the upright rearward plate, a top plate extending "iunderwand' supported by the frame beams, the top plate extending from one to the other of-"the side fplates above the plane of thebottomthereo and at an'inclination to such plane, the higher portion. of said top plate being in proximity, to but spaced apart from said upright forward plate, the

= lower portion of said topplate beingspaced apart from said rearward flexible plates, 1n-

ner, flexible plates depending from the higher portion of said topgplate, and div1d mgdevices-depending from the under side" of said inclined top plate, in combinationwith... a rotary pump, afiexible air-box con-v Inected'with the pump and also with saidup right'p1atesandside plates, and a conduit connected'with the higher portion of said inclined top plate and extending through i and away from said air-box;

llaln'apneumatic-street cleaner, the com- ,binationof w an outer chamber upper structure'and an outer, chamber: lower structure below th upper. s u ur an. a -p s connecting the lowerstructure with-the up per-s -ucture,j an exhausq-lfan' .{rotatablyz mounted in the upperstructure',- and a con-. i uitkaving z er e e te di .into'the upper structure below. the exhaust-fan and. upward-.divergently approximately to the ex haust-fan for receiving. and conducting a= portion 'of "the-air. away fromthe outer chamber structures and the airpassage.

15-. In a pneumatic street-cleaner, the combination with an outerchamber, 'of'an inner chamber, comprising. a middle sectlon I and twoside se'ctio hinged to'the opposite sides respectively o 3 the middle section, eachsecti n having an inclined top extending down-- ward 'rearwardly, the lower end of each sec-- ,on and'a plurality ofpartition devlces secured to the under sneer said tops in spaced tion havinga rearward-extending lipthefiapart order and extendingfrom said. lower ,ends' and forwardly and toward-a common median plane, the devices on. either side of in progression from such 

